Routine changes for anxious minds

Anxiety. Some people don't really understand that mental illness, and some of us know the damage it can cause. This is for you.

As a 20 year old girl, I feel like my whole life is in front of me. Yet, sometimes I feel like I won't even know how to enjoy all of these new exciting moments. Some days are awesome, and some are awful, still anxiety finds its way to a part of each.

When I realised that I could die tomorrow, i realised that I have been living through fear for way too long. Some special moments I have either missed or not enjoyed at all, stuck in my head.

One thing I can tell you is : Trust life.

What is the worst that can happen ? Staying in your bed to avoid panic won't make you feel more alive.

Of course, a panic attack feels horrible, reaching for air and lost in your surroundings. When you realise that you are the master of your mind, you can help make a change on how your body reacts.

I'm actually trying to make subtle changes in my daily routine, and it has helped me get better.

Be early : The best thing to do if you want to remove any unnecessary stress is to not be late. In life, nobody has time, but some people make time for their priorities. If you want to enjoy your morning stress-free, try to spend less time on your phone and enjoy the time you have for yourself. You can get up earlier and do something you enjoy !

Get a good night of sleep : Try to have a sleep schedule. Of course, it cannot be perfect, everyday is different. In our society, most people lack sleep and it shows. Having time to rest is key to feeling good on the daily. When we lack sleep, we get more irritable and we generally get lazy. Of course, some people have insomnia and i don't have a remedy for that, but the next idea might help.

Meditate : Yes, it really does help. I never really understood how i could stay still and think about nothing, but it is possible, and miraculous. I can't explain this enough, meditation has helped me to ground myself during bad moments, it is such a power. Some apps offer guided meditations, like Balance, which can definitely help your mind stay focused on what matters. Anxiety is our head rushing through constant thoughts, so we might as well give our brain some well deserved rest.

Journaling or reading :If you are on here, you definitely like to either read or write. For me, both of these tools have helped me and they have turned into hobbies. Journaling helps to reflect on your day and process your emotions. In addition, it is always fun to look back on and see how much you changed. Reading books about self-help and psychology can definitely help.

Moving more : Experts say that exercising can reduce anxiety. I don't know for you, but for me, exercising is a big trigger for stress and a racing heart. The thing is, you need to fight that fear of going out of air, or getting hot. For me, going step by step has helped, even when i felt like I couldn't move. Just walking on the treadmill can make a difference. Try something new, you will be proud of yourself.

Eat well : No, I don't mean to go on a diet when I say this, but literally just eating something good. It can be a fruit once a day or drinking a ton of water. In my case, I stopped drinking juices and sodas full of sugar. Switching to water has given me a different glow and it feels good. It shows on the outside when you are feeding yourself right. Also, you can see the difference after eating something healthy and after fast-food. Of course it's nice sometimes, but it should be a special occasion. After making subtle changes, you will definitely be proud of the consistency you had on this one.

Enjoy : You know you are lucky to be alive ? I know that you feel like anxiety ruins your life sometimes, but a lot of others things could too. You might as well enjoy the present. You should not live in the past, nor the future. Once you can see the good out of the bad, you've made a huge step in the right direction. Just laugh it off, life is precious. Being positive and being sure that you deserve good will help you get there. Listen to that playlist you love, tell the your people you love them, feel the wind in your hair.

A little help : As someone who is health-anxious, medicine scares me. I've read a lot about natural supplements that can calm your nervous system a little bit. When we are always on high-stress, our body's level of magnesium goes low, which can cause more stress. Giving yourself a little bit back can make a difference. I've tried one supplement a day and I noticed that I am way more calm.

I hope any of these things have helped you a little bit, in the end,

only YOU have the power to make a change in YOUR life !